Okay, we know it’s not Dutch—but one of our co-founders is Italian, and when we found this vase at an antique market in Amsterdam, we fell for it instantly.So: meet Cosimo, a one-of-a-kind antique table lamp handcrafted from a 19th-century Italian Renaissance Revival vase. This richly painted ceramic vase—likely made between 1880 and 1900—emulates the vibrant maiolica tradition of 16th-century Deruta, with design and quality consistent with revivalist workshops such as Cantagalli in Florence. Transformed with care into a unique table lamp, Cosimo now serves as both functional lighting and collectible art, imbued with centuries of symbolism and style.
The vase’s iconography is steeped in Renaissance visual language. One side features a hand-painted profile medallion of a noblewoman in classical style—an homage to all’antica portraiture inspired by Roman coins and humanist ideals. The reverse presents a fantastical creature—perhaps part dragon, part sea beast—painted in vivid hues and surrounded by scrolling ornament. Its stylized form reflects the Renaissance fascination with grotteschi: hybrid beings drawn from myth, nature, and imagination, often used to animate the borders of maiolica and frescoes alike. These whimsical figures were a hallmark of workshops in Deruta and Faenza, blending the real and the surreal in playful, decorative compositions. Framing these central vignettes are scrolls and garlands in cobalt blue, golden ochre, and verdant green, painted under a softly crackled tin glaze. The whole design evokes the Raffaellesque aesthetic, rich with symbolic allusions to myth, nature, and classical ideals.
Topping the lamp is a bespoke, pleated silk lampshade, handcrafted from a vintage Indian sari. Commissioned exclusively for this piece and made in an atelier near Amsterdam, the shade’s earthy florals echo the vase’s palette, balancing vibrant ornament with soft, diffused light. Every detail—from the sari’s delicate weave to the gathered pleats—is one-of-a-kind, designed to harmonize with the historic character of the base.
Cosimo is a distinctive example of handcrafted lamps that fuse historical artistry with contemporary elegance. This antique table lamp adds patina and presence to refined interiors—perfect for a living room or bedroom where character and craftsmanship matter. Its transformation from Renaissance Revival pottery to bespoke lighting speaks to a tradition of sustainable craftsmanship, offering timeless beauty with cultural depth.
Height: 58 cm (23 in) with lampshade
Diameter: 35 cm (12.6 in) with lampshade
*Please note that after the subtotal page, at checkout, 21% VAT will be applied for customers within Europe. Customers in the UK, USA, and other countries may be subject to local taxes and duties which are not included in our prices. Rates can differ widely based on your location, and we advise you to check with your local customs office for more information.
Okay, we know it’s not Dutch—but one of our co-founders is Italian, and when we found this vase at an antique market in Amsterdam, we fell for it instantly.So: meet Cosimo, a one-of-a-kind antique table lamp handcrafted from a 19th-century Italian Renaissance Revival vase. This richly painted ceramic vase—likely made between 1880 and 1900—emulates the vibrant maiolica tradition of 16th-century Deruta, with design and quality consistent with revivalist workshops such as Cantagalli in Florence. Transformed with care into a unique table lamp, Cosimo now serves as both functional lighting and collectible art, imbued with centuries of symbolism and style.
The vase’s iconography is steeped in Renaissance visual language. One side features a hand-painted profile medallion of a noblewoman in classical style—an homage to all’antica portraiture inspired by Roman coins and humanist ideals. The reverse presents a fantastical creature—perhaps part dragon, part sea beast—painted in vivid hues and surrounded by scrolling ornament. Its stylized form reflects the Renaissance fascination with grotteschi: hybrid beings drawn from myth, nature, and imagination, often used to animate the borders of maiolica and frescoes alike. These whimsical figures were a hallmark of workshops in Deruta and Faenza, blending the real and the surreal in playful, decorative compositions. Framing these central vignettes are scrolls and garlands in cobalt blue, golden ochre, and verdant green, painted under a softly crackled tin glaze. The whole design evokes the Raffaellesque aesthetic, rich with symbolic allusions to myth, nature, and classical ideals.
Topping the lamp is a bespoke, pleated silk lampshade, handcrafted from a vintage Indian sari. Commissioned exclusively for this piece and made in an atelier near Amsterdam, the shade’s earthy florals echo the vase’s palette, balancing vibrant ornament with soft, diffused light. Every detail—from the sari’s delicate weave to the gathered pleats—is one-of-a-kind, designed to harmonize with the historic character of the base.
Cosimo is a distinctive example of handcrafted lamps that fuse historical artistry with contemporary elegance. This antique table lamp adds patina and presence to refined interiors—perfect for a living room or bedroom where character and craftsmanship matter. Its transformation from Renaissance Revival pottery to bespoke lighting speaks to a tradition of sustainable craftsmanship, offering timeless beauty with cultural depth.
Height: 58 cm (23 in) with lampshade
Diameter: 35 cm (12.6 in) with lampshade
*Please note that after the subtotal page, at checkout, 21% VAT will be applied for customers within Europe. Customers in the UK, USA, and other countries may be subject to local taxes and duties which are not included in our prices. Rates can differ widely based on your location, and we advise you to check with your local customs office for more information.
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